City Council

Thursday, October 9,2008
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WORK MEETING
OCTOBER 9, 2008, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Gail Bunker
Council Member Gloria Shakespeare
Council Member Gil Almquist
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Gay Cragun

EXCUSED:
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Jon Pike

OPENING:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor McArthur and the invocation was offered by Council Member Shakespeare.

Mayor McArthur advised that earth-moving is taking place at the new airport site and he urged citizen to stay away from the site due to safety concerns. He advised 90% of the work force performing the excavation is local, and the City?s site will be linked with the contractor?s site for information on employment. The City will also post pictures of the construction on its website.

Blake Paul suggested the City set up a webcam to keep track of progress on the site.

Mayor McArthur invited exchange students from Georgia, the Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan to introduce themselves.

Council Member Almquist arrived.

PRESENTATION FROM THE DINOSAUR DISCOVERY SITE COMMITTEE:
Annalee Segura, Site Coordinator, advised that staff has been working all summer on improving its education for children. She displayed a discovery tracks trunk which is an educational resource taken to the schools and includes one week?s worth of curriculum and activities, culminating in a trip to the museum.

Gary Sanders presented a power point presentation on an exhibit to be held February 1 through August 31, 2009.

DISCUSSION CONCERNING USES IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL ZONES:
Community Development Director Bob Nicholson distributed a handout entitled Commercial Zone Uses and Site Development Standards and reviewed it with those present.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised that additional review was needed.

A brief discussion was held on expanding the historic district and possible future plans for the Dixie College campus.
St. George City Council Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page Two

DISCUSSION CONCERNING A HOA IRRIGATION METERING REQUEST:
Water Services Director Barry Barnum explained that certain HOAs which have master irrigation meters are now requesting that they be billed at the 3/4" irrigation rate. Mr. Barnum advised that the break would be use of more than 5000 gallons and more than ten units per meter. Anything more than that and the HOA would be better off staying with the master meter rate. Mr. Barnum explained that the Entrada HOA has been purchasing water from the Entrada Golf Club. They have now been encouraged to purchase irrigation water separately and this is what has prompted the request.. He suggested the City look at each request individually and figure the differences on a case by case basis.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised that any new fee schedule would have to be adopted by resolution.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman arrived.

It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed and bring the resolution to the City Council for formal approval.

MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION:
Police Chief Marlon Stratton reported on a traffic accident.

A discussion took place on the City?s use of towing companies and the possibility of bidding out this service.

Council Member Almquist expressed concern with the left turn lane signals at the intersection of Bluff Street and Main Street.

Mayor McArthur advised that a Japanese delegation will be in town October 24 and he invited the City Council to attend a luncheon in their honor.

Mayor McArthur advised that the dedication of the third floor of the Arts Building will be held October 23.

City Manager Gary Esplin explained that when The Lakes project was completed and master planned a development agreement was put in place. The text of the master plan specified a certain number of units, but the zoning categories for each area do not jive. The density bonus program was also approved around this time, and under this program there can be additional density in exchange for parks, etc. The developer of The Lakes stated in City Council meetings that they are willing to dedicate property and develop it for a community park without charge to the City and build two neighborhood parks at no cost to the City in exchange for higher density. They would like an additional 800-1000 units, and are also talking about mixed use. In a compromise they stated they would ask for only 274 more units, with an increase in density from 4.0 units per acre to 4.37 units per acre on the entire property.





St. George City Council Minutes
October 9, 2008
Page Three

Community Development Director Bob Nicholson advised that the developer of The Lakes and staff have agreed that 274 units is not an entitlement number and may be less based on actual zoning changes. However, a maximum number should be specified in an agreement.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised that the developer of each pod within The Lakes will have to come back with plans for each pod because the project is zoned PD. He explained that a development agreement has been entered into with the master developer of The Lakes who will build the major roads and sell the pods off to someone else who will develop them. The parks will be built as the pods are developed.

Mayor McArthur called for a brief break. Upon conclusion of the break, the meeting continued.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Bunker to adjourn to an executive session to discuss potential litigation.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Council Member Shakespeare.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a roll call vote, as follows:

Council Member Bunker - aye
Council Member Shakespeare - aye
Council Member Almquist - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

RECONVENE AND ADJOURN:
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Shakespeare to reconvene and adjourn.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Council Member Almquist.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, and all voted aye. The motion carried.



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Gay Cragun, City Recorder